Selections from American poetry, with special reference to Poe, Longfellow, Lowell and Whittier

This anthology invites listeners on a sweeping tour of America’s poetic heritage, beginning with the austere verses of the Puritan settlers and moving through the vibrant, nature‑infused lyricism of the early republic. It traces how the hardships of colonial life gave way to a growing confidence in expressing the heart’s language, setting the stage for a uniquely American voice.

Among the selections are the pioneering lines of Anne Bradstreet, the spirited celebrations of Philip Freneau, and William Cullen Bryant’s reverent meditations on the natural world. The collection also embraces the darker, music‑laden moods of Edgar Allan Poe, whose haunting elegies and rhythmic experiments still echo today. Together, these poems capture the evolving spirit of a nation, offering a rich listening experience that balances historic narrative, lyrical beauty, and the timeless quest to hear one’s own heart in verse.